Gerrard affray verdict out

Liverpool and England star Steven Gerrard has been found not guilty of attacking a DJ in a nightclub after a row over music.

Gerrard was said to have “lost it”, punching Marcus McGee “with the style and speed of a professional boxer”.

Steven Gerrard outside court today

The jury at the city’s Crown Court accepted his explanation that he was acting in self defence, having mistakenly believed Mr McGee was about to attack him.

Gerrard left Liverpool Crown Court to applause from fans and shouts of “come on Rocky”.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “Can I just say how pleased I am with today’s verdict.

“I’d like to put this case behind me. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me.”

His comments were met with a further round of applause from onlookers before he was ushered away.

Gerrard showed no emotion when the jury foreman delivered the not guilty verdict after 70 minutes of deliberation.

Judge Henry Globe told the footballer: “The verdict is a credible verdict on the full facts of this case, and you walk away from this court with your reputation intact.”

He added: “Steven Gerrard, with hindsight you may agree that it was unwise of you to have approached Marcus McGee in an attempt to speak to him about your earlier trivial disagreement about the music centre.

“However, that is far from saying you were criminally responsible for violence that thereafter erupted.”

The 29-year-old was with friends at the Lounge Inn, in Southport, Merseyside, in the early hours of December 29 when his party clashed with McGee, a member of another group.

Gerrard told the court what Mr McGee said to him on the night of the attack.

Gerrard apologised to the jury for his language before replying: “He said to me ‘You are not putting no f music on in here’.

“I was shocked and tried to speak to him and asked him what his problem was.

“I asked why I couldn’t have an input in the music and tried to explain that I had permission from the manageress.”